Japan to end 5-year peacekeeping mission in South Sudan

One can only suspect the withdrawal was in part to quell opposition to the "active" deployment of sdf as it becomes obvious that the situation in S. Sudan is far from stable.

At a time when Abe's image is taking a slapping, the death or injury of members of the Japanese forces, would surely pull the rug out from under the Great One. What's needed is a positive spin & photo op, so what better than the Leader himself announcing "I'm bringing them home", before scurrying off on yet another OS jaunt to Europe to get buddy photos. All in preparation for a possible "another early election".

But the slight in all of this to me is, when S. Sudan is in it's most dire need crying out for aid, they leave.

This recent UINICEF release says it all;

"...On 20 February, South Sudan became the first country in six years to officially declare famine. The declaration was made when a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report was officially endorsed and released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to the report, some counties in Unity state are classified as currently being in famine or having a high likelihood/risk of famine. From February to July 2017, Leer and Mayendit counties are considered to be experiencing famine, and famine is also likely to occur in Koch County. In Panyijar County it is projected that famine will likely be avoided with appropriate humanitarian assistance. Approximately 100,000 people currently face starvation, while one million are on the edge of famine. For the period from February to April 2017, the beginning of the lean season, it is estimated that some 4.9 million people (approximately 42 per cent of population) are severely food insecure (IPC Phases 3, 4 and 5). This is projected to increase to 5.5 million people (47 per cent of the population) at the height of the 2017 lean season in May – July 2017. President Kiir has promised unrestricted humanitarian access to the areas affected by famine, many of which are currently inaccessible...."

So Abe pulls out the forces in May at the peak of an unfolding humanitarian / famine crisis not witnessed in years.

Yeah - I know - "..Abe said Japan would continue to assist South Sudan in other ways such as with food and humanitarian support...."

but the cynic in me gives little credibility to such utterances.

@browny1 ... You're likely correct that part of the decision to pull out Japanese troops was due to domestic politics. Two observations/comments from me.

Firstly, I worked in South Sudan in 2013 - 2016, and saw Japanese troops in Juba doing mostly road construction in the city. Due to the insecurity outside of the capital, there isn't really any other tasks that these troops can do. They are not there to do peacekeeping, but to do infrastructure work. They do not have the weaponry to conduct any military operations, unlike other troops that are there specifically to do peacekeeping. Other countries have that task.

Secondly, the political, economic, and military situation in South Sudan is deteriorating. In December 2013 and July 2016, fighting occurred in Juba and UN troops were shown to be unable and unwilling to engage in combat. This is not mainly their fault, as they were not given the resources by their countries or the cooperation from the South Sudanese government to really conduct combat operations. In fact, UN troops were fired upon and killed by the South Sudanese military and militia.

Given both these things, I think it's actually smart for the Japanese government to pull out their troops. The longer they stay, the higher the chances that they will become casualties at some point. True, having Japanese troops injured or killed in South Sudan would be very bad for Abe. But it would also be a pointless waste of lives. The current humanitarian crisis there is due to the S. Sudan government's corruption and hostility against their own people. There is nothing that Japanese troops can do to fix that.

kazungu - thank you.

I agree there is probably little that the sdf could do.

Which begs the question - why did Abe try tyo "Beef them up " in the eyes of all if he's not willing to back up his big call.

Frankly I'm also glad they're coming home. We don't need any senseless loss of life due to a Leader trying for brownie points.

But what still irks me is the decision to pull out when such a humanitarian crisis is in the making. For me it's the proof that the whole exercise by Abe & Inada Inc was for impact within their own ranks and for blinkered supporters.

For the past 15-20 years or so, Japan treated Africans callously. They blatantly displayed their hatred for Africans and I am a victim of that hell-on-earth period. They came to build roads, roads to hell, they are always paved with good intentions. I have NO regrets whatsoever if these people not only pulled out, but also dusted the African soil off the soles of their shoes on the way out. In THIS century, No human being should ever have to endure what I endured in the hands of the Japanese. A people who consistently pontificate about being civilized, when, beneath that veneer of civility , is a creature with the behavior worse than that of a warthog in a patch of lilies. I do speak for myself.

@C

Japan needs to stay away other countries where people hate whatever Japan do.

I think this is probably for the best. Japanese troops fighting and possibly sustaining casualties while a genocide event is developing is the last thing anyone wants. Although the UN should most definitely be doing something about any sort of potential genocide especially in its early stages

Japan stayed 5 years and blamed for 15 - 29 years abuse...

If Japan helps 10 years, it will be accused Japppan abuse 30 - 40 years..

But whether such smearing accusation one person does or not, people are suffering with. Hunger. Japan may buy American long grain rice to send there.